Thanks for the wonderful advice! I jotted down the suggestions onto the working draft of my itinerary.

I'm going to go check on that hotel now, the Majestic. The Indochine doesn't have room enough for all of us, according to the emails I have received.

Any further advice?

If the Indochine is full try the Bopha Angkor which has good reviews and the cost is reasonable http://www.bopha-angkor.com/accommodation.html

Note that going by boat from Chau Doc to PP, a Cambodia Visa can be had at the boarder check point. The boat will make a stop at Vinh Xuong Gate in Vietnam to do your exit visa. Then it stops again at Khau Kaam Samnor Gate in Cambodia for immigration procedure then continue to Sisovat Pier in Phnom Penh. Visa into Cambodia is available here - $20 plus 2 phots.

Also if the Mekong Delta cruise that you take ends up back in HCMC or if you decide not to take the cruise, the best way to PP is by bus. The bus goes via Moc Bai and the Mekong Express is the best, large, comfortable, air-conditioned and with hostess. Leaves around 11am and takes about 6 hours including border formalities which are easy and helped with by the hostess. Visa can be obtained also. The road is paved the entire way, except for a couple of short, rough dusty patches where new bridges are under construction in Cambodia (they may be finished by now) and of course the Neak Luong ferry crossing. Cost about $13 each. Or you can splurge and hire you a van/mini-bus all the way. From HCMC to Moc Bai the cost for a regular taxi is around $30 for the 2hr trip. From here to PP cost will be $30-40 depending on your negotiation skills and take 3.5 hours. Of course a van will be somewhat more.


I would again suggest a van instread of of a bus when going from PP to SR.

Scotters, do you have a suggested contact for PP and a van? I agree that would be the best option.

I am also considering dropping the PP time to one full day, based on the advice here.

Question about the Killing Fields and the Museum. We did take the Fab Four to Dachau about 3 years ago. Has anyone been to both? We are considering splitting our group so my husband can take my eldest to them.

I did find sinhbalo.com, a Vietnam tour agency. They have a 3 day tour of the Mekong Delta that includes speedboat transfers to PP. The cost is $140 per person. Is that too much? It does include two nights lodging, two breakfasts, lunch in the island and a guide.

We have booked Ponheary's brother and will go see the school. Should we have a guide for all days or should be look at a day or two without? Advantages of each?

Thanks for the help!

Mary in Korea

Mary - I haven't been to Dachau, but I have been to Auschwitz, as well as the Cambodian sites. I found Auschwitz much more depressing, partly because it was bigger. But all the sites were profoundly moving.

I have not been to Dachau so cannot compare. The killing fields (which is out of town) would not be too bad but you could go to one in Siem Reap also. The Tuol Sleng Museum is another story as it can be a very sobering and gut retching experience. Your oldest may be fine but the younger ones should be excluded. For an account of the experience you could read this report
http://www.edwebproject.org/susanne/phnompenh.html

In any case you should prepare your family for the culture shock of the country and read up on some of its history to fully understand what the people have gone through. You will see one legged men, small children begging or selling souvenirs, slum conditions you may not be used too. Also the the heat and humidity will slow you down.

A friend of mine has used a chap called
Ran. He is a good moto driver and works part time as a guide for Intrepid. His english is good and he can arrange a car hire for you. You may wish to have him as a guide in PP for a day and he can probably arrange transport to SR. I am not sure what his rates are but it doesn't do any harm to e-mail him at [email protected] and ask some questions. Otherwise the hotel where you say can also arrange such things.

Soctters,

I just emailed Ran and we'll see what he replies. Hopefully he can let me know now about a transfer to Siem Reap.

I also went to the website you suggested and am still reeling somewhat. As a result, I am considering dropping one of the days in PP for an extra day in SR.

Thanks for your help!